Stories this week at Wake Forest University

FRESHMEN COME EARLY TO VOLUNTEER IN WINSTON-SALEM

Before they register for classes at Wake Forest, a group of about 40 freshmen will volunteer in the Winston-Salem community. S.P.A.R.C. (Students Promoting Responsibility and Action to the Community) was designed by the Office of Volunteer Services to show students first-hand the important role that community service plays in the life of the university. On Aug. 20 and 21, the students will volunteer at several sites around Winston-Salem including senior homes, children’s centers and Hanging Rock State Park. To arrange coverage at one of the volunteer sites, contact the News Service.

WAKE FOREST WELCOMES NEARLY 1,000 FRESHMEN TO CAMPUS

The newest members of Wake Forest’s student body—990 freshmen—will move into their residence halls and begin orientation on Wednesday, Aug. 22. Residence halls open for move-in at 8 a.m. Several vendors will be set up on the lawn between Johnson and Bostwick residence halls offering carpeting, cabinets, linens and more for residence hall rooms. Most freshmen will be moving into residence halls on the south side of campus, near the Magnolia Courtyard. To arrange coverage of freshmen move-in day, contact the News Service.

THINKPAD DISTRIBUTION, TRAINING

Freshmen will pick up their computers and printers from noon-5 p.m. on Aug. 22 in rooms 224 and 225 of the Information Systems building. All freshmen are required to attend laptop training, which will be from 8:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 24 in several different sessions. Wake Forest has provided laptop computers for its students since 1996. For specific training locations, contact the News Service.

OTHER ORIENTATION EVENTS

On Aug. 23 at 12:30 p.m., all new students and their families will gather in Wait Chapel for New Student Convocation. Wake Forest President Thomas K. Hearn Jr. and others will welcome new students to campus. On Aug. 25 from 6-8 p.m., local restaurants will be on campus for the Taste of Winston-Salem. The event on Magnolia Courtyard will include food samples from several local restaurants, live music and dancing, and outdoor games. To arrange coverage of either event, contact the News Service.

WAKE FOREST HELPS PARENTS DEAL WITH EMPTY NEST

The transition to college often can be harder for the parents than the student. Helping parents understand the changes their freshman will experience while encouraging them to focus on their own relationship can help, says Johnne Armentrout, assistant director of Wake Forest’s counseling center. She and her husband lead Wake Forest’s “College Transition” program for parents of freshmen each fall. This year’s program will be Aug. 23-24. Like many university orientation programs, it helps prepare parents for their child’s first year of college; but unlike most other programs, the Wake Forest workshop dedicates an entire day to nurturing the parents’ relationship. Armentrout calls it a marriage mini-retreat. “We ask the parents to think back to when they were dating and remember what they used to do together before they were parents,” she says. “Anything that makes the parents’ lives happier and more stable will help the student.” To arrange coverage of the program or an interview with Armentrout, contact the News Service.

UNDERGRADUATE CLASSES START AUG. 29

All undergraduates enrolled at Wake Forest and students enrolled in the Graduate School, Calloway School and Divinity School will start classes on Aug. 29. The Wake Forest School of Law and full-time students in the Babcock Graduate School of Management begin classes on Aug. 20.

Categories: Admissions, Campus Life, For Parents, Student